Gender and Sexuality Equality

The Gender and Sexuality Equality cohort of Bridge Builders CHANGE, better known as GAS, includes nine youth organizers and one adult ally workingto end the bullying of the LGBTQ+ in our community by providing safe, brave and educated spaces.

“Bullying in schools is a major roadblock in improving relationships and respect for the LGBTQ+ community. Multiple surveys by GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network) in 2007 showed that 82% of youth respondents had problems during the previous school year with bullying because of sexual orientation. They also found that 44% felt unsafe due to gender identification, 32% did not attend school at least one day because of feeling unsafe, 44% experienced physical harassment, and 22% experienced strong violence. But the most striking statistic is that 61% of the youth who experienced this trauma never reported it. We must fight everyday to provide support needed in mental health for our youth and to change how youth are treated daily.”